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1913. NE W ZEALAND.

MARINE DEPARTMENT: ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1912-13.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

My Lord, — Marine Department, Wellington, 14th August, 1913. I do myself the honour to transmit herewith, for Your Excellency's information, the report of the Marine Department of. the Dominion for the financial year ended the 31st March last. I have, &c, F. M. B. Fisher. His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, K.C.M.G., M.V.0., Governor of New Zealand. Sir, — • Marine Department, Wellington, 26th May, 1913. I have the honour to make the following report on the work of this Department during the year ended the 31st March last: — Shipping and Seamen Amendment Act, 1912. This Act has been assented to by His Majesty the King, and came into force on the Ist instant. It embodies provisions of the Imperial Maritime Conventions Act which made alterations in the law regarding liability in cases of collision and as to salvage. It also makes certain amendments in the New Zealand Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, which authorize the Secretary of the Department to permit a home-trade ship to make a voyage without a certificated second mate on his being satisfied that one cannot be obtained without unduly detaining the ship. It also provides that a sick seaman belonging to a foreign-going ship trading beyond intercolonial limits shall not be discharged until it is known that he is not well enough to rejoin the ship before she leaves the Dominion, and makes better provision for the exercise of the crews of intercolonial and hometrade ships in boat drill. Harbours Amendment Act, 1912. This Act was passed to remedy certain defects in the law as regards the election of members of Harbour Boards in view of the biennial elections taking place in April, 1913. Several other amendments in the law relating to harbours are necessary, but there was not time to deal with these last session, and it is proposed to introduce another amending Bill during the coming session.

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